Member states call for more sensitization on ECOWAS Protocols for regional integration

Member States of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have called for the sensitisation of citizens of the region on ECOWAS Protocol to foster regional integration.

Some Member States made the call while presenting their Country Report at the ongoing 2021 Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

Members of ECOWAS Parliament from The Gambia noted that without proper sensitization of ECOWAS citizens, the implementation of various protocols and conventions will be very difficult.

Presenting the report of The Gambia, leader of the delegation, Kebba Barrow, noted that parliamentarians in The Gambia have continued to educate their citizens on ECOWAS integration protocols.

“The Gambian delegation in consultation with the Ministry of Trade and ECOWAS Matters continue to publish series of newspaper press releases and advertisements on the community text to educate and enlighten the general populace on these important ECOWAS Community instruments,” Barrow said.

He said all these efforts are meant to sensitize and bring ECOWAS protocol and its institutions to the people.

“We firmly believe that without proper sensitization of our citizens, the implementation of various ECOWAS protocols and conventions will be very difficult.

“The delegation, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Gambia wishes to reiterate that The Gambia is ever committed to the ideals of the Regional Bloc.

“And shall never relent in its efforts for the integration process of the ECOWAS Community,” Barrow noted.

Regional unity

Similarly, Members of Parliament representation from Senegal said plans were underway by the legislators to foster regional integration by bringing border communities together.

The Head of the Senegalese delegation,  Aime Assine, while delivering the Country Report of Senegal said such actions should also be replicated by other countries.

“As part of our sensitisation activities, the ECOWAS MPs from Senegal are planning to step up activities to bring border communities closer together.

 “The Senegalese party recommends the organising of sub-regional festivals to enhance the rich cultural heritage of our people,” Assine noted.

Gender equality

Meanwhile, Ghana reports that it has made tremendous strides in gender equality.

The leader of the Ghanaian delegation of Parliamentarians to the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, made this known while presenting the Country Report of Ghana.

The Ghanaian Authority, he said it is fully committed to implementing the ECOWAS Supplementary Act on the Equality of rights between women and men for Sustainable Development.

He said that the government of Ghana has put in place policies and programmes that seek to mainstream perspective of women and men and to ensure the implementation of the policy.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the interventions have however begin to yield positive results, as it has increased the awareness of the citizens on the role women can play in the development process.

Emmanuel Ukoh